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Birth:          Mar 1855 Scotland
Death:          9 Dec 1911 Phila., Pa.
Cause of Death: suicide

Notes
1870 in Phila., Pa.
1900 in Phila., Pa. lawyer
1910 in Phila., he is m(2), 1909 to Isabel
Edward Francis Fremaux de Beixedon, Jr., Ancestors and Descendants of Dr. David 
Rogers (on archive.org) (1921)
http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/st-andrews-society-of-
philadelphia/historical-catalogue-of-the-st-andrews-society-of-philadelphia-with-
biographi-ala/page-5-historical-catalogue-of-the-st-andrews-society-of-philadelphia-
with-biographi-ala.shtml
PETER BOYD, ESQ. 
Member 1880 
President 1904-1905 
Counsellor 1906-1911 
Died December 9, 1911 
PETER BOYD, ESQ., Life member 1880. The following minute, prepared by the 
President, John Gordon Gray, was read and unanimously adopted by a rising vote at 
the Quarterly Meeting, February 29, 1912 : 

Peter Boyd was born in Scotland in 1854 and came to Philadelphia with his parents in 
early childhood. Educated in the public schools, his manifest bent toward a profession 
led to his entrance into the Law School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he 
graduated. He was admitted to the bar in 1876, and at once commenced the practice 
of his profession, in which he soon gained a recognized place. He joined The St. 
Andrew's Society August 31, 1880, and was elected Counsellor 1890 to 1894, when 
he became Secretary 1895-1899, Vice-President 1900-1903, and President 1904-
1905. On retiring as President, he was again elected 
Counsellor and was so serving at the time of his death. From the first his interest in the 
Society partook of the nature of an enthusiasm. As Secretary he was steady in his 
attendance at the meetings and indefatigable in his work for the Society's benefit. He 
made its affairs part of his office system, and was exceedingly jealous of its honor and 
reputation, extending its influence and adding to its membership. As President he 
maintained the high traditions of the Society and was an able and dignified presiding 
officer. 

Mr. Boyd was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he took an active 
interest. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he had many friends and 
to whose work he contributed. And he was an active member of the Union League, 
serving on various committees. 

His legal position, known probity and sagacity, and numerous affiliations brought him 
many valuable trusteeships, and, becoming counsel for a trust company, he was, on 
the death of its president, induced to accept the presidency of that company for 
himself. Inheriting in its management a system and conditions from which it was found 
impossible to escape, he bore the burden of the company 
for a number of years, until, at its collapse, he sank under the weight, dying on the 
afternoon of December 9, 1911. 

He was three times married. 

Such in brief outline is the story of a singularly vivid and active life. 

Peter Boyd possessed much of what is usually called personal magnetism. Somewhat 
under the middle height, his erect and manly form, striking head and face, and easy 
manner made him everywhere a noticeable figure. Gifted with a strong and masculine 
understanding, which he had cultivated by considerable reading and study, and 
possessing wit and humor, he was welcome in any circle of men and easily held his 
own in any company. He was well read in the history of Scotland and of the United 
States, and, at the quarterly meetings and the annual dinners of The St. Andrew's 
Society, made many interesting and eloquent 
addresses. At the Union League, where he made one of a coterie largely composed of 
men of Scottish descent, he was very much at home, and there, with his chosen 
associates, in his moments of smiling relaxation, he showed his most attractive side. In 
the councils of the political party to which he gave his allegiance he had a voice and 
influence, and in times of political contest was often heard on the platform. In all the 
relations of life, and in his case a many-sided life, whether as member of the bar, 
member of his church, officer of The St. Andrew's Society, Mason, member of the 
Union League, public-spirited citizen, he easily took and held a conspicuous place. 
And when he passed to his account, although he might have been deemed to have 
reached that time of life when middle age lay behind him, yet he impressed his 
associates not as one who had finished his career but as one who had possibilities of 
usefulness and distinction yet beyond him, so that his death, coming when it did, 
seemed the abrupt and untimely ending of a life whose principal expression still lay in 
the future. That in a great and conservative city like Philadelphia, Peter Boyd, without 
adventitious aids of any kind, should have taken and held the position which he 
occupied is at once the measure and the proof of his ability and worth. And the 
affectionate regard in which he was held by his friends was amply shown by the 
unusual gathering and demonstration which, accompanied the last rites paid to him. 
14 Dec 1911 Patriot, has AP article from Phila re his will, president of Tradesmen 
Trust Co., has text of note he left

Parents
BOYD William ()
----- Agnes ()

Siblings
BOYD Peter (Mar 1855 - 9 Dec 1911)

Marriage To CRITTENDEN Martha F. ("Mattie") (19 Jul 1852 - 24 Mar 1907)
    m. ABT 1885 Philadelphia, Pa.

Notes

Parents
CRITTENDEN Samuel Worcester (22 Feb 1824 - 1 Mar 1884)
PRESCOTT Martha Austin (1828 - 26 Jul 1852)

Children by CRITTENDEN Martha F. ("Mattie") 19 Jul 1852 - 24 Mar 1907
BOYD Austin (13 Jul 1890 - )
BOYD Malcolm Peter (13 Feb 1893 - 16 Apr 1909)

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